Germany notches up another overseas university and overtakes English-speaking countries

Brussels, 28 Apr 2005

Germany is ahead of Anglo Saxon countries in terms of exporting its study programmes, according to the country's Education and Research Minister, Edelgard Bulmahn.

As the comment was made at the laying of the foundation stone for a new German-Jordanian University in Amman, Ms Bulmahn had every reason to feel confident. And this project follows hot on the heels of the German University in Cairo, Egypt, established in 2003.

'German universities have recognised the huge opportunities provided by the export of study programmes, and are winning in the face of competition from the dominant Anglo Saxon countries,' said Ms Bulmahn. Indeed, her ministry invests four million euro every year in offering courses to foreign universities. 'We are winning the future elite as partners for cooperation with Germany,' said the minister. 'Universities are an important contribution cultural dialogue between regions and religions.'

The German-Jordanian University will be built according to the German university model, and will be twinned with Magdeburg-Stendal University. When it fully opens its doors in 2008 it will be home to around 5,000 students, who will follow English-language courses, primarily in technical engineering. Some 460 students will start their studies there this year.

The Jordanian contribution to the project covers building, infrastructure and the establishment of the university, while Germany's participation sees the involvement of 60 technical universities, which will contribute to the drawing up of the curricula, the provision of German lecturers and the organisation of visits to Germany and work placements.

CORDIS RTD-NEWS / © European Communities
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